Evan Parker

Evan Parker is a British free-improvising saxophone player from the European free jazz scene. Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker, a pivotal figure in the development of European free jazz and free improvisation, has pioneered or substantially expanded an array of extended techniques. Parker is perhaps best known for his solo soprano saxophone music, a singular body of work that has centered around his exploration of techniques such as circular breathing, double tonguing, overblowing, multiphonics and cross-fingering to create a densely textured sound.

Parker's first issued recording was SME's 1968 "Karyobin", with John Stevens, Derek Bailey, Dave Holland and Kenny Wheeler. Parker remained in SME through various fluctuating line-ups, but the late 1960s also saw him involved in a number of other fruitful associations notably the duo with percussionist and live electronics pioneer Paul Lytton.

With Bailey, he formed the Music Improvisation Company and, in 1970, co-founded Incus Records. Around 1971/1972, he joined the Schlippenbach Trio with pianist leader Alexander Von Schlippenbach and percussionist Paul Lovens. The co-operative trio Parker/Guy/Lytton was formed in 1980 when bassist Barry Guy joined the duo. Both groups still perform regularly, testing the relationship between familiarity and improvisation.

In 1990 Evan Parker founded his ElectroAcoustic Ensemble formed by enlarging the trio with sound processing. Beginning life a sextet the group was eighteen strong at its most recent performance in Huddersfield CMF.

In November 2001 Evan Parker started his own CD label: psi and has built a catalogue of his own work and other musicians whose work he considers under-represented.

His association with George Lewis goes back to their 1980 recording “From Saxophone & Trombone” and they have performed together regularly since then, most recently in London and New York.